Pelosi Team - Your source for local community events and real estate expertise. 
In this issue...
  • April showers bring May flowers
  • Did You Know?
  • Robotic Barista
  • French Laundry Renovation
  • Recipe of the Month
  • Real Estate News
  • Smart Thermostats
 April showers bring May flowers
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I have to admit, I am done with the rain. I am happy that my grass and plants are getting so much water and that I don't have to run my sprinklers. However, I find it very hard to run errands and shuffle my kids around in the rain. Many would probably call me a "whiny Californian" (especially this year when a lot of the country still has snow). I don't care. I like my nice weather. That's part of the package for these high home prices, right ;)
 Did you know?
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According Rain Gauge 33 (Ygnacio Valley Fire, Concord), in the last 30 days there has been 5.38 inches of rain!!

Robotic Barista
Cafe X in San Francisco has a robot for a barista! Her name is Robin! Cafe X has three locations in San Francisco (Financial District (Robin), Metreon Shopping Mall (Gordon) and Market Street (Francisco).

Robin can make a latte in less than 1 minute. She is the second generation design from the company and is made out of parts from an industrial grade espresso maker with an amazing robot arm.

"Cafe X's community manager, Sam Blum, says that each roaster teaches Cafe X's robotic staff how to create drinks exactly as they'd be ordered and customized in real life. As a result, Robin can produce up to three coffee drinks in just 40 seconds."

Company founder Henry Hu emphasizes, however, that Café X isn't trying to take over human baristas. "What we're demonstrating here is you can utilize automation to complete these very repetitive tasks, like shuffling cups and pushing buttons on machines," he says. "The technology exists so we can employ people to do the 'human things,' like educating people about specialty coffee or doing customer service." Instead of baristas, Cafe X has product specialists to answer further questions about coffee at each branch.

I have not had a chance to get into the city yet to check it out, but I am so curious. This could be the future and I can't wait to see it for myself!

French Laundry Renovation
I have never been to The French Laundry in Yountville, but it is something I hope to do someday! I have heard it is a once in a lifetime experience and a truly fantastic meal. It is a three-Michelin-star restaurant that is owned by renowned chef Thomas Keller. He just completed a three year renovation that expanded the property.

The kitchen is now 2,000 square feet and has windows that overlook the garden.They have also added vaulted ceilings in the dining room that act as a sound dampener to allow guests to have a more peaceful meals. The courtyard has Japanese maple trees and based on the pictures, I feel like I would want to sit down there and never leave.

A trip to this restaurant would make a great Mother's Day gift...hint hint ;)

Recipe of the Month
This rain has put grilling season on hold. Bummer! This recipe for burgers on a skillet is an excellent way to satisfy your craving until the weather gets better!
Buffalo Chicken Burgers
Makes: 4 servings
Serving Size: 1 burger each
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 12 mins to 15 mins

Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 pounds uncooked ground chicken
  • 3 tablespoons Buffalo wing sauce
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup light sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
  • 1 tablespoon sliced green onion
  • 4 ciabatta buns or hamburger buns, split and toasted
  • 4 1 ounces sliced cheddar cheese (optional)
  • Green leaf lettuce leaves
  • Sliced tomato

Directions
  1. In a bowl combine ground chicken and 2 Tbsp. of the Buffalo wing sauce; mix well. Shape mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick patties.
  2. In a 12-inch nonstick skillet heat oil over medium heat. Cook patties in hot oil 12 to 15 minutes or until done (165 degrees F), turning once.
  3. In a bowl combine melted butter and the remaining 1 Tbsp. Buffalo wing sauce. Brush butter mixture on both sides of patties.
  4. Meanwhile, for blue cheese dressing, in a bowl stir together sour cream, mayonnaise, blue cheese, and green onion.
  5. Serve patties in buns with cheddar cheese (if desired), lettuce, tomato, and blue cheese dressing.
Real Estate News
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Little Ways to Update Your Living Room
When Spring arrives, I always get the itch to brighten up my house. The sunshine makes me want to change around my decor, clean and purge!

I read a great article in BHG that gives suggestions of little ways to update your living room without making a huge financial investment.

Slipcover a Sofa

Contain Clutter - We just got rid of a bunch of toys. It feels so good to donate items we no longer use!

Consider Your Coffee Table

Update Artwork

Rollout a Rug

Improve with Paint

Punch Up Throw Pillows

Rearrange Furniture - We just changed up all of our shelving to keep things better organized so everything has a place.

Reupholster a Chair - Friends reupholstered two chairs with cow print. Gives a fun touch to the room!

Organize Bookshelves - I have been cleaning out our books and donating them to the library.

Swap Out Lighting - Sister in law updated the lighting in her dining room to wood pendants. It looks great and made such a difference.

Treat Windows

Incorporate Greenery - Just added two new potted plants. Love the life it brings to the room.

Try Nailhead Trim - I'm thinking of adding a nailhead trim to a new headboard.

Smart Thermostats
With the summer coming, it will soon be time to turn on the air conditioning. I am so glad that last year we updated to the Nest Smart Thermostat. It is so easy to use and helps conserve energy! We love our Nest, but there are other great options out there depending on your set-up. Check out the below:

Honeywell Lyric Round ($199) and Honeywell T5 ($149) - The Lyric Round has a air-filter sensor and humidity sensor.

Ecobee - $249 - Companion sensors make this device a great choice for the larger home. It can help read the temperature in multiple parts of the home.

Nest - $249 - One of the originals in Smart Home technology. Nest platform works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.


If you have topics about our local East Bay scene that you would like to see covered in Beyond the Fence, please send me an email at janel@pelositeam.com and I'll do my best to include your suggestions. 
Janel Pelosi |  Pelosi Team | 925.408.8990 | janel@pelositeam.com